In a time where social media is more important than ever, fans have more access to to professional athletes than ever before. In an effort to take control of the information that is shared, New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter has created a platform that will allow athletes to control what details they want the public to know first-hand.
His first major endeavor after officially retiring from Major League Baseball, Jeter launched The Players Tribune this past month to demonstrate his vision. Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin was announced as a senior editor for Jeter’s site, joining a growing stable of prominent sports stars. Though it is unclear how much of a hands on role Griffin will have on the site, it appears that he will be publishing his own original articles there.
In his introductory post, he offers insight on what it was like to play for an owner like Donald Sterling prior to the scandal of this past year.
As Baron is lining up, Sterling started flapping his arms and yelled to no one in particular, “Why are you letting him shoot the free throw? He’s awful! He’s terrible! He’s the worst free throw shooter ever!”
Baron had been shooting like 87 percent that season. He was by far our best free throw shooter on the floor.
I was standing at half court, right next to Sterling’s seats, watching this out of the corner of my eye, trying not to laugh. I looked at the guys on the other team, like, I cannot believe this is happening right now.
Baron didn’t even react. He walked to the line and sank the free throw as Sterling carried on his rant. After the game, I don’t even think we talked about it in the locker room. Everyone was just used to it. It was both funny and sad. The guy was off his rocker.
The incident didn’t make SportsCenter. It didn’t even make the local papers. If you’re wondering how a known racist can own an NBA team without anyone batting an eye, first ask yourself how the owner of an NBA team can scream at his team’s best player in front of thousands of people and hundreds of cameras without anyone even caring.
If this piece by Griffin is an example of what we can expect from The Players Tribune, then Jeter’s site will be well worth the attention it has been garnering.
Kevin Durant Has A Successful Surgery
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant had a bit of good news to share today, as he successfully underwent surgery to repair the Jones fracture in his right foot. The injury that was reported earlier this week is expected to keep him out of action for the next six to eight weeks.
Durant took to Twitter earlier on Thursday afternoon to thank people for the well wishes, and the Thunder also released an official statement regarding the surgery.
Per The Oklahoma City Thunder official site:
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant underwent successful surgery today to address a Jones fracture in his right foot, Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced.
The Thunder, Durant and his representatives jointly decided for surgery to be performed by Dr. Robert Anderson with Thunder medical personnel present at the OrthoCarolina Foot and Ankle Clinic in Charlotte, NC. Durant will be re-evaluated in six weeks, at which time a further update will be provided.
The 2013-14 NBA MVP appeared in two games during the 2014-15 preseason, averaging 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.50 steals in 15.0 minutes.
Other News Around The League:
It has been reported that younger brother of Philadelphia 76ers rookie Joel Embiid died earlier on Thursday. Per the Associated Press: Arthur Embiid, the younger brother of Philadelphia 76ers rookie center Joel Embiid, died Thursday in Africa. The cause of death wasn’t immediately available. Embiid, a 7-footer from the University of Kansas, has yet to practice or play in the preseason after having surgery on his right foot in June, shortly before the team made him the third overall pick in the draft. He’s expected to at least miss a large portion of the regular season. Coach Brett Brown, general manager Sam Hinkie and forward Luc Mbah a Moute — like Embiid a native of Cameroon — skipped the team’s exhibition game Thursday night against Boston to be with Embiid at his home in Philadelphia. Assistant coach Chad Iske coached the team in Brown’s absence.
The New York Knicks are expected to pick up the third year option to point guard Shane Larkin, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports: After some initial uncertainty, the New York Knicks plan to pick up the third-year contract option for guard Shane Larkin, league sources told Yahoo Sports. The Knicks have been satisfied with Larkin, 22, in the preseason, and will guarantee the $1.67 million on his contract for the 2015-16 season. The deadline for guaranteeing the third-year option comes at the end of October.
- Also courtesy of Yahoo Sports, the Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly looking to trade Chase Budinger. Per Wojnarowski: The Minnesota Timberwolves are shopping forward Chase Budinger in trade talks, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Among talks with several teams, the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets have shown an interest, league sources said. Houston is reluctant to take on the $5 million player option Budinger’s deal has in 2015-16, as are the Pistons, sources said. Nevertheless, the Pistons are taking a long look at Budinger and considering the possibility of making a deal. No trade is considered imminent for Budinger.
- Seth Partnow of Nylon Calculus offers an in depth look at the various personality types that make up the various categories used to define NBA point guards. It’s an interesting read that provides quite a bit of understanding on all of the factors that go into breaking down a position that is abundant with talent.
Esau Howard is a regular contributor to Sheridan Hoops. You can follow him on Twitter.